These
pages contains transcripts of newspapers, a postal directory and a register that
have been typed up from the original.
I have no further information than what is on these pages. You may find
microfische of the originals at your local or state library

STATUS QUO MCMLIX

This publication presents the schools of the Ballina Inspectorate at this
time – Education Week, 1959 – and their origins.

YAMBA PUBLIC SCHOOL

Yamba Public School was established on 12th October, 1882, when the first
teacher, Mr. Duncan McGregor, commenced duty in what was then a small public
hall at the corner of Wooli and River Streets, the site of the present school
residence.

As early as November, 1876, an application for the establishment of a
Provisional School had been made to the Council of Education by Messrs. Black,
Pegus and Harry, the two firstnamed still having descendants at Yamba, but it
was not until two years later that a renewed application was successful, and
financial aid guaranteed. Delay, however, followed. In 1880 the parents arranged
for the use of the public hall as a school, but in the same year land was resume
on Pilot Hill a very bleak and exposed spot, as parents quickly pointed out. The
site now in use was acquired in 1885.

Early teachers remained for only short periods. Mr McGregor left in 1884 and
was succeeded for only a few months by Mr. Archibald, who, in turn, made way for
Mr. Colin McKinnon in 1885. Mr. McKinnon married at Yamba in June, 1887. He and
his wife, both aged 95, are still living and remember clearly their experiences.
Mr. McKinnon recalls that he was locked out of the school on his first day by
the hall’s trustees, and had, on the advice of the District Inspector of
Schools at Grafton, to break in, afterwards being threatened with police action.
A photograph taken at this time, presented to the school by Mr. McKinnon, and
now preserved in the school archives, shows him a tall bearded man and his
pupils in their rather quaint clothes. Three of these ex-pupils at least are
still living, two at Yamba and the other a frequent visitor. Two of these “children”
were first enrolled at the age of les than three years.

PERMANENT SCHOOL NEEDED

By the time Mr. McKinnon was replaced by Mr. G Jones in 1889 the need for a
permanent school building was urgent, and this and a residence were built by Mr.
George Wunderlich, of Grafton, in 1891 at a cost of 981 pounds fifteen
shillings. This amount was considered excessive, but the contractor explained
that all materials had to be transported by boat from either Grafton or Sydney.
It is interesting to note, too, that the salary of the first teacher was 91
pounds per annum. The present state of school and residence, after 68 years’
use, speak highly for Mr. Wunderlich’s work.

Mr. Samuel Campbell, who was to stay longer than any other teacher so far at
Yamba (1895-1911), is still remembered with affection by many of his pupils. To
him is owed the fencing of the school ground (so well done with posts and rails
that its replacement became necessary only a year ago), the clearing of scrub
where many snakes had caused alarm, and the planting in the residence grounds of
the majestic Norfolk Island pine from whose seeds have come most of these trees
which are a feature of Yamba. Twenty seedlings are to be handed over to the
Yamba Urban Area Committee shortly, the present pupils continuing the work begun
by Mr. Campbell.

OYSTER LEASE OWNED BY SCHOOL

During the headmastership of Mr. A. McLachlan (1911-1915) or Mr. Dalbey
(1918-1921) the school acquired an oyster lease. Apparently this was a
successful venture as one pupil recalls the glee he experienced at being
detailed with others to take an afternoon off to gather a bag of oysters for the
district inspector of schools on his annual visit. When the school's interest in
oyster culture, still a thriving local industry, waned is not known, but it is
suspected that possibly some oysters disagreed with an inspector. Mrs. McLachlan,
now living at Bondi, recalls that on arrival at Yamba by ship the family was
driven to the residence where a fine meal, prepared by citizens of the town, was
waiting, and that none of the usual bother with furniture and effects was
experienced as the same citizens arranged everything, ensuring that the
newcomers would feel welcome.

During the time of Mr. Eades (1929-1934) the school tennis court and a
concrete relief map of Australia were built, but little could be done to improve
the school in the next decade as depression and war intervened. Serious
deterioration to school and residence occurred, and it is believed that no
repairs or painting were carried out for about twenty years, despite strong
representations by parents and teachers (Angus McArthur, Arthur Holmwood, Cecil
Schofield, Fred Clayton, James O'Keeffe and Roger Christie). The last-named did
have one important improvement effected, the draining of a section of the school
ground which became a swamp in wet weather.

Mr. George Arden, headmaster between 1949 and 1954, was able to have all
necessary repairs and painting carried out, a storeroom made from a section of a
corridor and a much-needed ablution shed built.

Enrolments have varied greatly over the years, and the school has at periods
had only sufficient pupils for one teacher. The establishment of schools at
Palmer's Island and Palmer's Channel reduced the area the school serves and in
1959 the school serves the immediate neighbourhood of Yamba, though frequently
children are enrolled for brief periods from other areas while visiting such a
popular resort on holidays. In the past five years enrolments have varied
between seventy and ninety, and at times it has been hoped that permanent
enrolments would warrant the building of another classroom and appointment of an
additional teacher. However, these hopes have not been fulfilled, and the
present staff of two, Mr. S. G. Baker and Mrs. M. Morton, have classes totalling
eighty-one children in classes kindergarten to sixth. For many years now
secondary pupils have mainly attended Maclean Intermediate High School, twelve
miles distant by bus.

PUBLIC INTEREST

The people of Yamba have shown their interest in the full education of their
children in many ways. A very active Parents and Citizens' Association has
provided much equipment for the school: piano, duplicator, radio, radiogram and
amplifier, microphone, motor mower, reference and general library, strip film
projector, cricket pitch, concrete paths, fixed physical education equipment to
mention a few, and has erected a weather shed with materials supplied by the
Department. The school staff receives much encouragement from this excellent
body of keen citizens. Staff and citizens share the responsibility for weekend
sport for boys who play in a football competition and in cricket matches with
other schools. Clubs for boys and girls have been established in the town with
weekly meetings, and where possible the school has given assistance in these.
The Yamba Bowling Club has recently undertaken to provide amenities for the
school to the value of £500, and with this magnificent donation it is planned
to replace the present gravel tennis court with concrete and to purchase a tape
recorder and set of "The Australian Encyclopaedia".

Active affiliation with town organisations, National Fitness Committee, local
Drama Group, C.W.A., R.S.L., has materially helped the school, and other bodies
have always provided assistance whenever asked. Probably the best example of the
manner in which the school and community co-operate was the celebration of the
school's 75th Anniversary in 1957 when every town organisation assisted in some
way.

This spirit of "togetherness", to quote a contemporary craze,
augurs well for the future of the school at Yamba.

These pages
contains transcripts of newspapers, a postal directory and a register that have
been typed up from the original.
I have no further information than what is on these pages. You may find
microfische of the originals at your local or state library